Autograph letter signed : Pisa. Collegio Ferdinando, to Richard Hengist Horne, [1846] December [4].

Explaining why he has not heard from her for so long; saying "...that my silence & backwardness of late, have been all parts of . . anything but an unkind feeling to you - - of a difficult position of my own indeed, which it was scarcely possible to move in without the risk of falling from it. If I had seen you for instance, in the course of the last two years, you would have seen what I wished you not to see . . not through distrust, of y̲o̲u̲, as you may suppose - I have been tied & bound - I could not help myself...You had deserved better from me, & I had it in my head to write to you to another effect just before my marriage - which I did not do . . precisely because the head whirled & whirled - Our plans were made up at the last in the utmost haste & agitation - precipitated beyond all intention;" asking for him to forgive her and to continue to think of her as "...your friend in the truest sense;" commenting on her improving health saying "The mildness of the last exceptional winter had left me a different creature, & the physicians helped me to hope everything from Italy. So you see how it all ended! - I have been gaining strength every week since we left England...& we are left to ourselves in a house built by Vasari & within sight of the Leaning tower & the Duomo, to enjoy a most absolute seclusion & plan the work fit for it - I am very happy & very well. Pisa was recommended to me for its climate, & besides is a good beginning of Italy both for language & art;" relating the sights they have seen and asking him to let them know where he is and what he is doing.